Foot orthotics decrease pain but do not improve gait in rheumatoid arthritis patients

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Foot orthotics decrease pain but do not improve gait in rheumatoid arthritis

patients

Received 13 August 2002; accepted 18 September 2003. ; Available online 10

October 2003.

Abstract

Objectives. ­ Prescribing foot orthotics in rheumatoid arthritis patients

with symptomatic forefoot involvement is a standard practice. However,

limited research has been reported regarding gait and pain improvement with

the use of foot orthotics.

Patients and methods. ­ Sixteen patients (13 F, 3 M; mean age: 52 ± 12

years) with metatarsalgia due to rheumatoid arthritis were included in this

prospective, randomized with crossover study, and received foot orthotics.

At 1 month follow-up, space and time gait variables with and without foot

orthotics were assessed by Bessou's locometer; pain was assessed by visual

analogue scale (VAS).

Results. ­ Pain levels significantly decreased (P = 0.008) by wearing foot

orthotics. Despite a significant step length increase (P = 0.05) with

orthotics, there was no significant improvement of stride length, cadence,

or walking speed which was the main assessment criterion.

Conclusions. ­ Wearing foot orthotics improves pain, but not sufficiently to

improve gait in rheumatoid arthritis patients with metatarsalgia. Foot

orthotics improved comfort levels because of a decrease in pain, but was not

sufficient to correct gait.